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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
THE MATHIS REPORT
Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
JinkoSolar’s only U.S. factory in growth mode in West Jacksonville
Daily Record Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
JACKSONVILLE
The 280-employee plant makes more than 100 photovoltaic panels an hour to serve the growing solar-energy market. Now more than 2½ years into operations, China-based solarpanel maker JinkoSolar (U.S.) Inc. is heading into its growth phase at its West Jacksonville manufacturing plant, the company’s only U.S. factory. “We are in what I call ‘poststartup mode,’ which is all about optimization and streamlining the process,” said General Manager Mike Favo. “So, we’re in growth. We’re past startup and in growth.” Favo spoke Sept. 16 to the JAX Chamber Three Rivers Council, which covers North and West Jacksonville. It met in the Sambura Room at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. JinkoSolar (U.S.) is a subsidiary of Shanghai-based JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd. JinkoSolar said that as of the end of 2020, it became the world’s largest photovoltaic manufacturer. Its 2020 revenue of $5.38 billion was up 18.1% over the year. The company chose Jacksonville in March 2018 for the $50.5 million facility. The city and state offered $4.2 million in a grant and tax refunds.
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The JinkoSolar (U.S.) Inc. plant at AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center in West Jacksonville employs 280 workers.
Photo by Karen Brune Mathis
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JinkoSolar (U.S.) General Manager Mike Favo updated the JAX Chamber Three Rivers Council about the solar panel plant. “We are in what I call ‘poststartup mode,’ which is all about optimization and streamlining,” he said.
JinkoSolar leases 285,652 square feet in this 407,435-square-foot building at POW-MIA Memorial Parkway and Waterworks Road. The building’s other tenant is Industry West.
JinkoSolar leases 285,652 square feet in a 407,435-squarefoot building in AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center in West Jacksonville. Favo became general manager Aug. 1 after 15 years running U.S. Gypsum Co. in Jacksonville. JinkoSolar employs 280 employees in Jacksonville to turn out about 100 photovoltaic modules an hour. Favo gave the Jacksonville timeline: JinkoSolar signed the lease
“You’re shipping it to customers. Then it’s reality,” Favo said. He said the facility “has an outstanding team.” “Of all the plants I walked into over my career, this one was the most ready for post-startup that I’ve ever been to,” he said. Favo’s presentation included a look at energy sector projections, which show a growing share by solar. “I don’t think we are going to be the last plant in the United States, and we’re definitely not
for the plant in March 2018. It installed equipment and began “shakeout” by November that year. It officially started production in February 2019. “And we’ve been making panels every since,” he said. Favo said he was recruited for the next phase. “At the end of startup, you feel really good because you have all of the equipment running and you have product coming out,” Favo said.
going to be the last plant for JinkoSolar,” he said. Favo said solar panels are in high demand. He said the energy sector is converting to sustainability, “and solar panels are exactly right for this.” “This came along at a great time, as far as the United States is concerned. We’re growing our market share.” He said many coal-fired plants SEE MATHIS, PAGE 2
TD Bank building-out Deerwood Park North call center The city issued a permit Oct. 4 for Ajax Building to renovate call center space for TD Bank in Deerwood Park North at a cost of $4.8 million. TD Bank announced July 14 that it will bring more than 250 jobs to Northeast Florida over two years, including 200 customer service and operations positions to the call center at 4600 Touchton Road E. Ajax, based in Oldsmar, will demolish and remodel space on the first floor for storage and other work and on the full third floor for the call center, which is shown at about 25,000 square feet of space. The New Jerseybased financial institution bank targets spring 2022 for occupancy.
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